Well, it’s September 1, which means – among many other things – that it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s August Wrap Up.  So, let’s take a look at the stories, statistics and stars that caught BBRT’s attention over the past month.

Photo by hueytaxi

Six-for-Six … And The Cycle

There is no way you can leadoff the August lineup with anything  other than the remarkable offensive display put on by Brewers’ outfielder  Christian Yelich on August 29. In an wild, ten-inning, 13-12 Brewers’ win over the Reds at Great American Ballpark, Yelich not only hit for the cycle (single, double, triple and home run), he also collected six hits in six at bats – becoming, according to ESPN, just the fourth player since 1920 to combine a cycle with a six-hit game.  Yelich scored twice and drove in three in the contest.

Move Over Suitcase Simpson, “Backpack Drake” is On The Way

Photo by wwarby

On August 4, right-hander Oliver Drake took the mound for the Minnesota Twins in the top of the ninth – with the Twins  leading the Royals (at Target Field) 8-2.  Drake pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, but that was not the big news. 

In that appearance, Drake toed the rubber for his fifth major league team – DURING THE 2018 SEASON.  That is the MLB record for the number of teams played for in a single campaign. Blake started the season with the Brewers (appearing in 11 games); was purchased from the Brewers by the Indians on May 5 (four games); selected off waivers by the Angels May 31 (eight games); selected off waivers by the Blue Jays July 26 (two games); and, finally, selected off waivers by the Twins August 3 (ten August games). 

Overall, August was a pretty unique month.  We saw:

• A nun with a curveball and a Little Leaguer who”hits dingers” steal baseball’s thunder;
• Women take center stage in the Women’s Baseball World Cup;
•  Both the Ultimate (Grand Slam) and the Immaculate (Inning); and
• Some noteworthy accomplishments by players both young (Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Juan Soto) and old (Bartolo Colon and Albert Pujols).

We’ll get into all this (and more), but first a look at BBRT Players and Pitchers of the Month.

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NATIONAL LEAGUE

Player of the Month … Ronald Acuna, Jr., OF, Braves

The Braves’ 20-year-old rookie outfielder – Ronald Acuna, Jr. – scorched NL pitching in August. He hit .336, smashed an MLB-high (tied with the Brewers’ Christian Yelich) eleven round trippers, drove in 19 runs (eighth in the NL) and scored an MLB-high (tied with the Red Sox’ Mookie Betts) 25 times.  Later, in the individual  highlights, you can learn more about this rookie’s historic August power output.  Oh yes, and he swiped six bases in nine tries.

Other Contenders: The Dodgers’ 3B Justin  Turner turned it on in August, hitting an NL-best  .402 for the month, tied Acuna for the NL lead in hits with 39, popped  six home runs, drove in 20 (fifth in the NL) and scored 22 (second in the NL).  David Peralta of the Diamondbacks (.361-10-21) and the Padres’ Hunter Renfroe, with a .302 average, nine homers and a league-best 27 August RBI also deserve mention.

Pitcher of the Month – Cole Hamels, Cubs

There were lots of contenders for this recognition, as 13 National pitchers who logged at least 25 innings put up August earned run averages under 2.00.  BBRT will go with the lowest of the low.  It is, in fact, looking like the Cubs may have made the best July trading deadline move when they acquired Cole Hamels from the Rangers. Hamels, who was 5-9, 4.72 with Texas, put up a 4-0 record with a microscopic and MLB-lowest (among pitchers with at least 25 innings pitched in August) 0.69 earned run average in his first month with Chicago. Hamels went 39 innings in six starts, walking eleven and fanning 38.

Other Contenders: The Mets’ Jacob deGrom went 3-2 in six starts, but deserved better. The Mets scored just one run in each of his losses.  For the month, deGrom led MLB with 60 strikeouts and 43 2/3 inning pitched and put up the NL’s sixth-best August ERA at 1.24.  BBRT also looked at the Cardinals’ Jack Flaherty, who went 4-0, 1.13 in five starts. Another Cardinals’ rookie – Austin Gomber – deserves recognition as MLB’s only five-game  winner in August. Gomber  went 5-0, 2.38 in seven August appearances (six starts).  The Phillies’ Aaron Nola pitched some big  games (against some big names – outdueling Max Scherzer and Noah Syndergaard) on his way to a 3-0, 1.06 August (with 35 strikeouts in 34 innings).

AMERICAN  LEAGUE

Player of the Month –  Tie: J.D. Martinez, RF, Red Sox & Miguel Andujar, 3B, Yankees

BBRT is celebrating a veteran and rookie in the AL this month.  Boston’s veteran DH J.D. Martinez not only hit .373 for the month, he smacked seven home runs and drove in 25 (third in the AL). He also scored 24 times (second in the AL) and had the league’s highest on base + slugging percentage among qualifiers at 1.139.

Yankees’ rookie 3B Miguel Andujar tore it up in August – to the tune of .320-10-29; finsihing with the AL’s highest August home run total (tied with the A’s Khris Davis) and MLB’s highest RBI total (tied with the Rangers’ Rougned Odor). Andujar also scored 21 runs (seventh in the AL).

Other Contenders: Texas’ 2B Rougned Odor tied Andujar for the MLB lead in August RBI with 29, and scored 23 times, while hitting .269 with seven long balls. The Astros’ Marwin Gonzalez was also a contender, with an August stat line of .303-8-20 – along with 19 runs scored. And, the Astros’ Tyler White made a splash, with a .325-8-23 August.

Pitcher of the Month – Blake Snell, Rays

Blake Snell went 4-0, with an AL-lowest (among pitchers with 25 August innings) 1.04 earned  run average. He also fanned 34 batters in 26 innings – giving up 11 hits and three walks (a league-low 0.65 WHIP). He was the class of the AL field in August.

Other Contenders:  Mariners’ closer Edwin Diaz (who already has 50 saves on the season) racked up an MLB-best ten August saves (in 11 opportunities) fanning 21 hitters (no walks) in 11 innings and putting up a 1.64 ERA.  The Indians’ Carlos Carrasco went 4-2, 1.85 in six starts and fanned an AL-high 50 batters (tied with Justin Verlander) in 39 innings.

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Now, how about those standings … and August team performance?

IF THE SEASON ENDED ON AUGUST 31, YOUR PLAYOFF TEAMS WOULD BE …

American League: Red Sox, Indians, Astros.   Wild Cards: Yankees, A’s

The most interesting AL race appears to be in the AL West, where the A’s trail the Astros by just 1 ½ games. Side Note: Baltimore is a whopping 52 ½ out in the tough AL East.

National League: Braves, Cubs, Diamondbacks.  Wild Cards: Brewers, Cardinals

Things are tighter in the NL, with the Diamondbacks, Rockies and Dodgers separated by just 1 1/2 games in the West; the Phillies just two back of Atlanta in the East; and the Cardinals having  surged to just 3 1/2 behind the Cubs in the Central.  

Here’s a few observations on August’s best and worst teams.

NATIONAL LEAGUE – AUGUST’S BEST (Cardinals) & THE REST

The Cardinals were baseball’s hottest team in August –  going 22-6. They were, in fact, the only team to reach 20 wins for the month. They did it primarily on the strength of their pitching staff – which put up an MLB-lowest 2.75 earned run average for the month. The club gave up just 82 runs (76 earned) in 28 games.  (They were actually no slouches on offense, leading the NL with 148 August runs scored.) On the mound, the Cardinals’ surge was led by 22-year-old righty Jack Flaherty and 24-year-old southpaw Austin Gomber. Gomber went 5-0, 2.38 (the majors only five-game winner in August). while Flaherty went 4-0, 1.13. Good news for Cards’ fans – both are rookies.  The Redbirds also got eight saves and a 1.86 ERA out of reliever Bud Norris.  On offense, RF Jose Martinez continued to put up MVP-consideration numbers – going .376-3-18 for the month. 1B Matt Carpenter hit only .255 in August, but chipped in some big hits (including  eight home runs). Carpenter scored 21 times in August, second in the NL.

Other NL teams having strong Augusts included:  The Cubs at 18-10 and the Braves at 17-13.  The Cubs finished the month 18-10  despite outscoring their opposition by only 13 runs (the Braves outscored their  foes by 26 tallies, the Cardinal had a plus-66 run differential).  The Cubs may have made the deadline pickup of the season – getting a 4-0, 0.69 month out of Cole Hamels. The offense was driven by 1B Anthony Rizzo (.340-7-17) and 2B Javier Baez (.288-7-16).

Like the Cardinals, the Braves relied on pitching – with a 3.03 ERA for the month, third-best in the NL.  Key contributors were newcomer Kevin Gausman (4-1, 1.69) and Mike Foltynewicz (3-2, 2.09). The Braves also got solid offense from a core group of young players like LF Ronald Acuna, Jr. (.336-11-21 in August) and 3B Johan Carmargo (.327-3-18), as well as steady production from  veterans like Ender Inciarte (.286-3-15) and Freddie Freeman (.283-2-13). The team is showing solid balance for the stretch run.

Bringing up the rear  of the National League (in August) were two teams that failed to win ten games – Marlins (7-19) and Reds (9-19).

AMERICAN LEAGUE – Rotation – Rotation – Rotation

The Indians led the AL in August wins at 19-9; relying largely on their starting rotation. (Close behind the Indians  were the Red Sox and A’s – both at 18-9.) The Tribe’s 3.10 staff ERA for August was the third-best in the AL, while there 132 runs scored was fifth. The Indians’ had a balanced offense in August with three players contributing five home runs and 16 RBI each. CF Melky Cabrera (.293-5-16), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.241-5-16) and 3B Jose Ramirez (.245-5-16). Also important were LF Michael  Brantley (.333 – with 16 runs scored and 13 RBI) and SS Francisco Lindor (who hit just .263, but crossed the plated 18 times).  It was, however, the rotation of Carlos Carrasco (4-2, 1.85); Corey Kluber (4-1, 2.81); Mike Clevinger (3-0, 2.21); and Shane Bieber (3-0, 3.81) that kept the Indians rolling toward the Central Division Crown.

Boston picked up 18 August victories more with a hammer than a scalpel. The team gave up 127 runs – by comparison, the Astros, A’s, Indians and Rays all gave up less than 95 – but the Bosox scored an MLB-high 166 tallies.  Missing “ace” Chris Sale (shoulder) for most of August didn’t help, although veteran David Price picked up the slack with a 3-0, 2.10 month. Still, there was enough offense to support the team’s 4.18 August ERA.  DH J.D. Martinez went .373-7-25 and scored 24 runs; RF Mookie Betts  went .354-4-14 with 25 runs scored; SS Xander Bogaerts drove in 21, to go with three homers and a.303 average; LF Andrew Benintendi hit .270 and scored 20 August runs – and the list of offensive contributors went on.

The A’s got strong performances from a couple of pitchers who did not start the season in Oakland – Mike Fiers (who came over from Detroit in early August) went 3-0, 2.73 in six starts for the A’s, while Edwin Jackson (released by the Nationals and signed by the A’s in June) went 2-1, 2.60 (but the A’s did win four his his five starts). The A’s offense flowed primarily through 3B Matt Chapman (.319-9-18 in August), 2B Jedd Lowrie (.293-4-16) and DH Khris Davis, who hit only .222 for the month, but belted ten home runs (tops in the AL) and drove in 20.

Two teams a failed to win ten games in the AL in August – Orioles (8-20) and Tigers (8-19). 

FULL STANDINGS AND AUGUST WON-LOST RECORDS CAN BE FOUND IN A GRAPHIC  NEAR THE END OF THIS POST. 

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

Through August 31, , more than one-third (34.6 percent) of all MLB 2018 plate appearances have ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We are talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.1%); Walks (8.4%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.0%); Catcher’s Interference (less than .001%).  

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*HERE’S A LOOK AT THE AUGUST TEAM STATS*

–—-LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS – FOR AUGUST—–

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 123

AL: Red Sox (166); Yankees (155); Rangers (143)

NL: Cardinals (148); Mets (145); Nationals (137)

Three teams tallied fewer than 100 runs in August: Marlins (86); Giants (93); Pirates (94). The Tigers were the lowest-scoring  team in the AL at 101 runs. 

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .253

AL: Red Sox (.275); Blue Jays (.260); Orioles (.260)

NL: Brewers (.273); Cardinals (.273); Reds (.265)

The Giants had the lowest batting average for August at .217, as well as the fewest home runs (15), and second-fewest runs scored.

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 33

AL:  Yankees (53); Blue Jays (41); A’s (39)

NL: Dodgers (45); Brewers (44); Cardinals (40)

The Brewers led MLB in slugging percentage for August at .471. By contrast, the Giants slugging percentage was an MLB-low .319. The MLB team average was .416.

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 15

AL: Rays (33);  Indians (25); Royals (25)

NL: Dodgers (28); Rockies (22); Nationals (19)

The Twins had their difficulties on the base paths in August – swiping an MLB-low three bases and being tossed out on six-of-nine steal attempts. 

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 227

AL: White Sox (298); Yankees (242); Twins (238)

NL: Mets (260); Dodgers (255); Padres (254)

Ouch!

Cardinals’ batters appeared to be popular targets in August, as the team suffered an MLB-high 21 hit batters – nearly twice the major league average (11) for the month.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.14

AL:  Rays (2.76); A’s (3.02); Indians (3.10)

NL: Cardinals (2.75); D-backs (2.96); Braves (3.03)

Six teams recorded August earned run averages over 5.00, but only one – the Orioles –  topped 6.00 (6.42). 

PITCHERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 227

AL:  Yankees (317); Indians (280); Astros (260)

NL: Braves (267); Mets (266); Dodgers (256)

In August, the Orioles’ pitching staff gave up an MLB-high 51 home runs in 28 games. The Cardinals, by contrast, gave up just 16 long balls  in 28 games. 

SAVES … MLB Average – 7

AL:  Indians (10); Mariners (10); Twins (10)

NL: Cardinals (12); five with eight

The Royals converted only two of eight save opportunities in August – for an MLB-low 25 percent save rate. The lowest conversion rate in the NL went to the Marlins (four saves in 11 opportunities – 36.4 percent). The Rangers and Mets put up 100 percent save conversion rates in August – with eight and six saves, respectively,

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——————HOW ABOUT A FEW AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS?——————————

A Sister Gets A Bobblehead

The highlight of August may very well have came at the hands (and strong right arm) of Sister Mary Joe Sobiek – who threw out (maybe “fired” is a better word) the cermonial first pitch at a White Sox game on August 18.  Sobiek, who teaches theology at Marian Cath0lic High School in Chicago Heights, IL, opened with a showy bounce of the baseball off her right bicep and  then tossed a curve ball for a strike (from the mound) to the White Sox’ Lucas Giolito. Sister Sobiek (called “Sister Mojo” by her students) was a three-sport athlete in college (College of Saint Scholastica, Duluth, MN) and says her athletic ability and energy help her relate to her students. For Minnesota readers, Sister Sobiek not only went to college in the state, she grew up in Saint Cloud and is a long-time Tweins fan.

In honor of the feat, the National Bobble Head Hall of Fame has created (and is selling) an “inspirationaL” bobble of Sister Sobiek in full windup.

Robbie Grossman on Players Weekend Nicknames

On the weekend of August 24-26, MLB celebrated its second annual Players’ Weekend – sporting colorful uniforms and equipment; sleeve patches honoring those who inspired them on their way to majors; and the MLB “Evolution” logo –showing a progression of five player images reflecting the progress from Little League to youth leagues to the major leagues.  Perhaps of greatest interest, however, were the names on the back of the jerseys, as players were able to choose a nickname for display that reflected their own personalities, passions or sense of humor.  For more on Players Weekend and a look at some of the best nicknames, click here.

There were a number of players who choose not to go with a nickname and BBRT appreciated the explanation offered by the Twins’ Robbie Grossman – “I worked to hard to get my name on the back of a major league jersey … that I don’t want to wear anything else.” Makes sense to me. 

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The Little League Classic …

On Sunday, August 26, Hawaii captured Little League World Series 2018 title with a 3-0 win over South Korea in Williamsport, PA. Hawaii went undefeated in the 16-team tournament, outscoring their opponents by a 26-3 margin.

While Hawaii may have captured the LLWS title, the combination of Little Leaguers and Major Leaguers captured a lot of hearts – as the Phillies and Mets traveled to Williamsport on Sunday, August 19^th, for the Second Annual Little League Classic (a regular-season game played at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field during the LLWS).  BBRT Note: Bowman Field, just a short distance from the Little League International Complex, is the second oldest minor league  ballpark in the United States (opened in 1926). The Mets won the game 8-2, in  front of a crowd of 2,429.

The real action, however, was the up-close interaction between the Major Leaguers and the Little Leaguers – plenty of smiles, handshakes and high fives, autographs, selfies and the sharing of hitting, fielding and pitching tips.  The Phillies’ Rhys Hoskins and “Big Al” Delia of the Mid-Atlantic Little League squad provided one of the day’s highlights, as they went on social media to share their mutual love of “hitting dingers.”  A number of the big leaguers took time to catch some Little League action in the afternoon – and, of course, the Little Leaguers and their fans and families returned the favor during the evening’s Mets/Phillies  tilt.  Oh, and “Big Al” was center stage again – catching the ceremonial first pitch from Mets’ 3B Todd Frazier, who was a member  of the Toms River East team that won the 1998 LLWS title.

A good time, it was said, was had by all.

Final Note: The Little League dinger machine showed up again oin August 28th, this time at batting practice before a White Sox/Yankees game, apparently exchanging long-ball stories with his Giancarlo Stanton and also admiring Aaron Hicks’ “Big Al Hits Dingers” t-shirt.

ULTIMATE AND IMMACULATE – BOTH IN THE SAME MONTH

In the “What’s in a name?” category.  On August 12^th, Cubs’ rookie infielder David Bote hit was is referred to as an “Ultimate Grand Slam” – a walk-off, Grand Slam home run coming when your team is down by three runs. He came to plate as a pinch-hitter – facing the  Nationals’  Ryan Madson with two outs, the bases loaded and the Cubs down 3-0.  Bote laced a 2-2 offering over the center field fence for an Ultimate Grand Slam.  (Note:  It wasn’t exactly a great inning for Madson, who loaded the bases on an infield single and two hit batters.) MLB.com reports that Bote’s was the 25^th known Ultimate Grand Slam, just the fifteenth with two outs and the sixth by a pinch hitter.

August also saw two MLB pitchers toss “Immaculate Innings” … a 1-2-3 frame, with three strikeouts on nine pitches. On August 8, the Rockies’ German Marquez accomplished it against the Pirates (fourth inning – Corey Dickerson, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco). On August 19, the Dodgers’  Zac Rosscup threw and Immaculate (ninth) Inning versus the Mariners (Kyle Seager, Ryon Healy, Cameron Maybin). More detail on Rosscup’s inning later in this post.

Colon Puts Exclamation Point on Career

On August 7, Rangers’ 45-year-old righty Bartolo Colon worked seven innings – giving up four runs on eight hits – in picking up an 11-4 win over the Mariners.  It was Colon’s 246^th MLB victory, moving him past Dennis Martinez for the most victories by a Latin American born pitcher.  Colon added another win on August 13 to add to his mark – and finished August 10-15, 5.45 on the season and 247-187, 4.10 on his 21-season MLB career.

Youth Will Be Served

On August 14^th, Braves’ 20-year-old rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. led off the bottom of the first inning against the Marlins with his 18^th home run of the season.  That long ball was significant for a number of reasons:

• It made the youngest MLB player to homer in five straight games.
• It made him the youngest and just the second player (of any age) in MLB history to open three consecutive games with a first-inning leadoff home run. (The other was Brady Anderson in April of 1996).

But Acuna’s August accomplishments go even further. On August 13^th, he hit first-inning leadoff home runs in both games of a doubleheader – becoming just the fourth player to accomplish that feat (Harry Hooper – May 30, 1913; Ricky Henderson – July 6, 1993; and Brady Anderson (August 21, 1999).

Most Home Runs by a Player in Their Age-20 MLB season …

Frank Robinson, Reds … 38 (1956)

Alex Rodriguez, Mariners … 36 (1996)

Tony Conigliaro, Red Sox … 32 (1965)

Ted Williams, Red Sox… 31 (1939)

Mike Trout, Angels … 30 (2012)

Al Kaline, Tigers … 27 (1955)

Ed Mathews, Braves … 25 (1952)

Orlando Cepeda, Giants … 25 (1958)

Note: Conigliaro also had 24 home runs in his 10-year-old season (1964).

Something for the Veterans as Well

Photo by bk1bennett

On August 10^th, as the Angels topped the A’s 4-3, Angels’ DH Albert Pujols stroked a single to left in the sixth inning.  It was Pujols 1,000^th American League safety – making him just the ninth MLB player to collect at least 1,000 hits in each league. (Pujols had 2, 073 hits with the Cardinals.)  Others on the list are: Frank Robinson, Fred McGriff, Dave Winfield, Carlos Lee, Vlad Guerrero, Orlando Cabrera, Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Beltran.

A GIANT BBRT RANT – Oh, The Insanity

On August 6, the Florida State League (Class A) Clearwater Threshers (Phillies’ farm club) faced off against the Tampa Tarpons (Yankees’ affiliate) in a double header. In the second game, Tarpons’ starter Deivi Garcia tossed seven perfect innings, with 12  strikeouts  (minor league doubleheaders are seven-inning games), but the Tarpon had also failed to score.

In the top of the eighth, the first extra inning, the Threshers (via a new minor league rule) started with a runner on second (against Tampa reliever Christian Morris). That runner scored on an error and a fielder’s choice.  Tampa remained scoreless in the bottom of the inning.  The end result – Tampa lost 1-0, despite tossing a no-hit game.  A few other oddities:

• Christian Morris got the loss – despite the fact that he had nothing to do with the runner who crossed the plate.
• The runner was treated as though he reached on an error (in terms of the pitcher’s earned run average) – although there was no error charged to a fielder or the team.
• The base runner was credited with a run scored – despite getting a 180-foot head start.
• Had Morris pitched a 1-2-3 inning, the perfect game would have been intact. (The”placed” runner does not affect a perfect game or a no-hitter.)

From BBRT’s standpoint, this “placed” runner rule should be scrapped.

Not So One-Der-Ful

In a five-game stretch from August 16^th through August 21, the Chicago Cubs scored exactly one run in each game – and, in each contest, that lone run came on a solo homer. Surprisingly, despite the meager offensive output, the Cubbies won two and lost three over that span.

• August 16^th, Cubs top Pirates 1-0 in Pittsburgh. The only run scores on a fourth-inning Ian Happ home run.
• August 17^th, Cubs again best Pirates 1-0. This time on a second-inning solo home run by Kyle Schwarber.
• August 18^th, Cubs lose to Pirates 3-1 and the only Cubs’ tally comes on a third-innings solo shot by Ben Zobrist.
• August 19^th, Cubs lose to Pirates 2-1, the only Cubs’ run a second-inning home run off the bat of Kyle Schwarber.
• August 21, Cubs lose 2-1 to Tigers (in Detroit), with the only Cubs’ run a sixth-inning home run by Anthony Rizzo.

It’s a Teen Kind of Thing

Photo by pdeonarain

On August 29, 19-year-old Nationals’ rookie LF Juan Soto rapped his 16th home run of the season – a two-run shot that came in the third inning of an 8-6 Nationals loss to the Phillies.  The long ball moved Soto into a tied for the fourth-most MLB home runs home runs by a teenager (tie with Ken Griffey, Jr.). Still ahead, Mel Ott (19), Bryce Harper (22) and Tony Conigliaro (24).  In 89 games this season,Soto is hitting .292, with 16 home runs, 50 RBI and 62 runs scored.

Record Number of Twin Killings Secure 1-0 Win

On August 17^th, the Cubs nipped the Pirates 1-0 in Pittsburgh – and, in the process, tied a major league record by turning seven double plays in a nine-inning game.  For the full story, click here.

A Walk-Off and a Balk-Off … Tough on a Pitcher

How about giving up a walk-off walk and a walk-off balk in the span of one week?  That got to be a little disheartening.

Saturday August 18, Dodgers’ reliever Dylan Floro was brought into a 4-4 tie (in Seattle) in the bottom of the tenth inning. At the time, the Mariners had runners on first (Robinson Cano) and second (Cameron Maybin) and one out.  Floro walked the powerful Nelson Cruz to load the bases – and then the fun began. With the sacks full, Dodgers’ 3B Justin Turner faked a move to the third base bag (a faux pick-off), the base runner (Maybin) flinched and Floro (also apparently “deked”) dropped his hands and stepped off the rubber – balking in the  winning run.

The August 18 balk-off came just six days after Flora gave up an August 12 walk-off walk in a 4-3 Dodgers’ loss at Colorado.  In that game, Flora came to open the bottom of the ninth of a 3-3 tie. He gave up a single to Rockies’ 2B DJ LeMahieu, who went to second on an error by right fielder Yasiel Puig.  Flora then fanned SS Trevor Story on four pitches. Next came an intentional walk to David Dahl to set up the double play. However, Ian Desmond was out on a slow  roller to third base – with the runners moving up to second and third. Another intentional walk (to Ryan McMahon) brought up catcher Chris Ianetta, with a force available at any base. A five-pitch walk plated the game-ending, game-winning run.  Side note:  Thinking about that new intentional walk (wave ’em to first) rule – Flora actually gave up three walks on five pitches.

By the way, don’t get the wrong idea about Floro. At the end of August he was 1-1, 1.66 with the Dodgers and 4-3, 2.33 on the season.

A Verlander Milestone

Photo by Keith Allison

On August 19^th, the Astros’ Justin Verlander did not appear to be on the top of his game.  In the first inning of a critical game against the Oakland A’s (challenging Houston for the AL West Crown), Verlander gave up home runs to Oakland 3B Matt Chapman and DH Khris Davis – and after three innings, the two teams were knotted at 4-4. Verlander settled down and held the A’s scoreless into the sixth, with the Astros eventually picking up a much-needed 9-4 win.  The win was Verlander’s twelfth of the season (12-8, 2.65 ERA) and also the 200^th of his 14-season MLB career.

MVP & Cy Young … A Winning Combination

Justin Verlander is one of just ten pitchers to win the Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player Award in the same season. Note: One-half of the ten were Tigers (3) or Dodgers (2).  Here they are:

Don Newcombe – 1956 Dodgers – 27-7, 3.06 earned run average.

Sandy Koufax – 1963 Dodgers – 25-5, 1.88

Denny McLain – 1968 Tigers – 31-6, 1.96

Bob Gibson – 1968 Cardinals – 22-9, 1.12

Rollie Fingers – 1981 Brewers – 6-3, 28 saves, 1.04

Willie Hernandez – 1984 Tigers – 9-3, 32 saves, 1.92

Roger Clemens – 1986 Red Sox – 24-4, 2.48

Dennis Eckersley – 1992 A’s – 7-1, 51 saves, 1.91

Justin Verlander – 2011 Tigers – 24-5, 2.40

Clayton Kershaw – 2014 Dodgers – 21-3, 1.77

Fifty is Nifty

Photo by THE Laura Smith

On August 25, Seattle closer Edwin Diaz came into a game (against the Diamondbacks) n the bottom of the tenth inning with the Mariners up 4-3. It wasn’t easy, but Diaz did pick up the save – despite giving up two hits and having one runner tossed out at home.  So, what makes this rather rocky save worthy of mention here? It was the 24-year-old right-hander’s 50^th save of the season.  Diaz is the 14^th (and youngest) player ever to record 50 saves. Three pitchers have had two 50-save campaigns: Eric Gagne, Mariano Rivera and Jim Johnson. Diaz, who had 34 saves in 2017, ended August with a 0-3, 1.97 record, with 50 saves and 108 strikeouts in 64 innings.

Top Five Most Saves in a Season

62 … Francisco Rodriguez, Angels (2008)

57 … Bobby Thigpen, White Sox (1990)

55 … John Smoltz, Braves (2002)

55 … Eric Gagne, Dodgers (2003)

53 … Randy Myers, Cubs (1993)

53 … Trevor Hoffman, Padres (1998)

53 … Mariano Rivera, Yankees (2001)

Zimmerman Hits 11^th Walk Off Long Ball

It took a video review to get the job done, but on August 22, Nationals’ 1B Ryan Zimmerman bashed a two-run home run – with two-outs in the bottom of the ninth – to give the Nationals an 8-7 walk-off win over the Phillies.  It was Zimmerman’s 11^th career walk-off home run, putting him just two behind all-time MLB leader in walk-off homers – Jim Thome. Standing between Zimmerman and Thome at 12 walk-off dingers each are: the still-active Albert Pujols and a group of Hall of Famers (Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx; Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson).

Guess that Single run Broke the ice.

On August 26^th, the Nationals took on the Mets in New York.  Washington came into the game having failed to score in 27 consecutive innings – losing their previous three games by 2-0; 3-0; and 3-0. On the 25^th, it looked like more of the same, as the Nats and Mets were tied 0-0 at the end of five (running Washington’s scoreless streak to 32 innings). Washington finally eked out a run in the top of the sixth on a double, single and RBI groundout.  That apparently broke the ice.  Over the final three innings of the game, the Nationals scored 14 more times (eight runs in the eighth and six more in the ninth) for a 15-0 win.

Double Your Pleasure … Double Your Fun

Photo by d-deee

On August 26, Cardinals 1B/Leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter broke out of a bit of an August slump – and tied the MLB record for a nine-inning game with four doubles (as St. Louis topped the Rockies 12-3 in Colorado).

Carpenter, who came into the game hitting just .221 for the month, but with eight August round trippers,  got off to a good start, hitting two doubles to right off Tyler Anderson in the very first inning. (The Cardinals batted around and scored six times.)  He doubled to center off Chad Bettis in his next at bat (third inning); grounded out second-to-first to end the fifth; and doubled to center off Bryan Shaw in the seventh. On the day, Carpenter was four-for-five, scoring twice and driving in two.  Carpenter’s four doubles in a nine-inning contest ties him with 47 other players.  Albert Belle is the only player to accomplish the feat twice – on August 29 and September 23, 1999.

Seven Not Always So Lucky

Between August 19 and August 26^th, Blue Jays’ 1B/DH Kendrys Morales went yard in seven straight games – coming within one of the MLB record.  Morales streak ended on August 27^th, when he went zero-for-three with a walk. The Blue Jays won five of seven during Morales streak.  He hit .481 (13-for-27), with eight home runs, 13 RBI and nine runs scored during his run. Oh, and in the category of “In Baseball We Count Everything” – Morales did set the record for consecutive games with a home run by a switch-hitter.

The record of eight straight contests with a home run is shared by The Pirates’ Dale Long (May 19-28, 1956); Yankees’ Don Mattingly (July 8-18, 1987); and Mariners’ Ken Griffey, Jr. (July 20-28, 1993).

Walking ‘Em Off

On August 29^th, Houston’s Tyler White hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Astros a 5-4 win over the vistiting A’s.  It was the 81^st Walk off home of the season – breaking the single-season record for walk-off dingers (80) set back in 2004 … and we still have a month of baseball left.  Note:  At the end of August, the record was up to 83 walk-off home runs this  season.

Women’s Baseball World Cup …United States Finishes Fourth

The Women’s Baseball World Cup wrapped up on August 31 (in Viero, Florida), with Japan winninng its sixth straight World Cup – topping Chinese Taipei 6-0.  Japan took the Gold, Taipei the Silver and Canada the Bronze (by topping the U.S. team 8-5 in ten innings in the third-place game). Japan went 9-0 in the 12-team tournament, while Taipei, Canada and the U.S. all went 6-3. 

Starring for the U.S. Team was OF/DH Megan Baltzell, who hit .500 for the tournament (third-best); hit a tourney-high two home runs; was second in RBI with 11.  Ayami Sato of Japan was named tournament MVP – going 3-0 in four pitching appearances with a o.37 earned run average and 18 strikeouts in 19 innings.

A tale of two Megans: Two Americans were selected to the All World Team – Megan Baltzell at DH (stats already noted) and relief pitcher Megan Meidlinger, who pitched in five games, picked up one save and allowed no runs on three hits and a walk (with three strikeouts) in five innings.

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You’ve read the highlights,now the stats.

—INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR AUGUST —

BATTING AVERAGE (minimum 75 August plate appearances)

AL:  Mallex Smith, Rays (.389); J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (.373); Whit Merrifield, Royals (.358)

NL: Justin Turner, Dodgers (.402); Jose Martinez, Cardinals (.389); David Peralta, D-backs (.361)

The lowest August average among players with at least 75 plate appearances during the month belonged to the Rays’ Jeff Bauers at .105 (8-for-76, with 17 walks). 

HOME RUNS

AL: Khris Davis, A’s (10); Miguel Andujar, Yankees (91); three with nine

NL:  Christian Yelich, Brewers (11); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (11); David Peralta, D-backs (10)

The highest August Slugging Percentage (at least 75 plate appearances) was run up by the D-backs’ David Peralta (.732) in the NL and Astros’ Tony White (.711) in the AL.  The only other player over .700 was the Dodgers’ Justin Turner at .722.

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: Miguel Andujar, Yankees (29); Rougned Odor, Ranger (29); J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (25)

NL: Hunter Renfroe, Padres (27); Paul DeJong, Cardinals (22); David Peralta, D-backs (21); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (21)

RUNS SCORED

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (25); J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (24); Aaron Hicks, Yankees (24)

NL: Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (25); Justin Turner, Dodgers (22); Matt Carpenter, Cardinals (22); Christian Yelich, Brewers (22)

HITS

AL: Mitch Haniger, Mariners (41); Whit Merrifield, Royals (39); Miguel Andujar, Yankees (39)

NL: Justin Turner, Dodgers (39); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (39); Lorenzo Cain, Brewers (37); Jose Martinez, Cardinals (37)

Among players with at least 75 August plate appearances, the Dodgers’ Justin Turner had the top on-base percentage at .491; the Rays’ Mallex Smith led the AL at .476.  The only other players over .450 were Boston’s Mookie Betts (.460) and J.D. Martinez (.453).

STOLEN BASES

AL: Aldaberto Mondesi, Royals (10); Mallex Smith, Rays (9); Jonathan Villar, Orioles (8); Greg Allen, Indians (8)

NL: Trevor Story, Rockies (9); Trea Turner, Nationals (8); Billy Hamilton, Reds (7); Amed Rosario, Mets (7)

The Pirates’ Starling Marte led all of MLB in caught-stealing in August – being tossed out in five of ten tries. 

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

AL: Yoan Moncada, White Sox (42); Chris Davis, Orioles (41); Giancarlo Stanton (40); Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays (40)

NL: Michael Conforto, Mets (42); Austin Jackson, Mets (38); Chris Taylor, Dodgers (33)

WALKS DRAWN

AL:  Aaron Hicks, Yankees (23); Mookie Betts, Red Sox (19); Jose Ramirez, Indians (18)

 NL: Juan Soto, Nationals (24); Matt Carpenter, Cardinals (20);  Andrew McCutchen, Giants (19); Brian Dozier, Dodgers (19)

Kyle Schwarber of the Cubs drew an MLB-high seven intentional walks in August. 

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL:  J.A. Happ, Yankees (4-0): Blake Snell, Rays (4-0); Jalern Beeks, Rays (4-0); Corey Kluber, Indians (4-1); Carlos Carrasco, Indians (4-2)

NL:  Austin Gomber, Cardinals (5-0); Cole Hamels, Cubs (4-0); Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (4-0); Zack Wheeler, Mets (4-1);  Kevin Gausman, Braves (4-1); Jhoulys Chacin, Brewers (4-2)

White Sox Rookie Dylan Covey appeared in eight August contests (four starts) – and went 1-6, 5.11,  leading all of MLB in August losses. On the season, he ended August 5-12. 5.61

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 August innings)

AL:  Blake Snell, Rays (1.04); Carlos Rodon, White Sox (1.80); Carlos Carrasco, Indians (1.80)

NL:  Cole Hamels, Cubs (0.69); Aaron Nola, Phillies (1.06); Zack Wheeler, Mets (1.13); Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (1.13)

STRIKEOUTS

AL:  Justin Verlander, Astros (50 – 32 1/3 IP); Carlos Carrasco, Indians (50- 39 IP); Rick Porcello, Red Sox (45 – in 37 IP)

NL:  Jacob deGrom, Mets (60 – 43 2/3 IP); German Marquez, Rockies (53 – 42 IP); Max Scherzer, Nationals (49 – 38 IP)

SAVES

AL:  Edwin Diaz, Mariners (10); Blake Treinen, A’s (7); Ken Giles, Blue Jays (7); Jose LeClerc, Rangers (7)

NL: Bud Norris, Cardinals (8); Pedro Strop, Cubs (6); Brad Boxberger, D-backs (6); Brad Hand, Indians (6)

Being Stingy

Among pitchers with at least 25 August innings, Black Snell was the stingiest – giving up just 0.65 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP). Snell allowed just 11 hits and six walks in 26 innings.

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—–LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS –  YEAR-TO-DATE (through August)—–

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 600

AL: Red Sox (738); Yankees (701); Indians (679)

NL: Cubs (644); Dodgers (638);  Braves (635)

The Marlins scored the fewest runs through August at 505 – while the Royals were at the bottom of the AL at 507.

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .249

AL: Red Sox (.269); Indians (.258); Astros (.256); Mariners (.256)

NL: Cubs (.263); Braves (.260); Reds (.259)

The Mets had the lowest team batting average through August (.235); while the Orioles were at the bottom of the AL’s (.238). Surprisingly, despite not having the DH, three of the top four MLB team batting averages (through August) belonged to NL teams. 

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 156

AL: Yankees (221); A’s (186); Blue Jays (183)

NL: Dodgers (189);  Brewers (179); Cardinals (175)

The Tigers and Marlins suffered through MLB’s worst power outage through August, with just 112 home runs each. 

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 67

AL: Indians (109); Red Sox (101); Rays (98)

NL: Brewers (102); Nationals (95); Padres (81)

The A’s swiped the fewest bases through August (31). In fact, only three teams stole ‘fewer than 40 sacks through August – The A’s, Blue Jays (35) ad Twins (39).

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 1,137

AL: White Sox (1,302); Rangers (1,257); Yankees (1,178)

NL: Padres (1,297); Phillies (1,259); Brewers (1,233)

The Indians were the only team to fan less than 1,000 times through August at 976.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.15

AL:  Astros (3.14); Red Sox (3.61); Rays (3.69)

NL:  Dodgers (3.43); D-backs (3.52); Cardinals (3.66)

Three teams carried ERA’s of 5.00 or higher through July –  the Royals (5.18), Orioles (5.15) and Rangers (5.00)

PITCHERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 1,137

AL:  Astros (1,,411); Yankees (1,367); Red Sox (1,297)

NL: Dodgers (1,295); Phillies (1,209); D-backs (1,200)

Through August, the Astros were averaging MLB-tops 10.46 strikeouts per nine innings. The only other team averaging 10 or more was the Yankees at 10.10.   The Dodgers topped the NL at 9.48 strikeouts per nine innings.  Six MLB teams were averaging at least one whiff per inning. 

SAVES … MLB Average – 35

AL: Mariners (52); Yankees (42); Red Sox (40); Rays (40)

NL: Rockies (43); Dodgers (41); Phillies (39); Cubs (39)

BULLPEN AND STARTING STAFF ERAS

The best bullpen earned run average through August belonged to the Astros at 3.02. The D-backs bullpen ERA was the NL’s best at 3.09. Bullpens putting up ERAs of 5.00 or higher included the:  Marlins (5.31); Royals (5.18); Mets (5.02); Rockies (5.00).

The Dodgers put up the best ERA among starters (through August) at 3.17, while the Astros’ starters were the AL’s best at 3.19. Six starting staffs put up ERAs over 5.00 through August: Rangers (5.50); Orioles (5.41); Blue Jays (5.21); Reds (5.21); Royals (5.19; Padres (5.08).  Those six teams were a combined 180 games undeer .500 at the end of August.

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—INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR YEAR TO DATE (through August) —

BATTING AVERAGE (qualifiers)

AL:  Mookie Betts, Red Sox (.341); J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (.333); Jose Altuve, Astros (.326)

NL: Christian Yelich, Brewers (.317); Scooter Gennett, Reds (.317); Jose Martinez, Cardinals (.314)

The lowest average (through August) among qualifying players belonged to the Orioles’ Chris Davis at .173 (72-for-417).   Davis, who also has 16 home runs and 48 RBI, is the only qualifying batter hitting under .200.

HOME RUNS

AL: Khris Davis, A’s (39); J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (39): Jose Ramirez, Indians (37)

NL: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals (35); Nolan Arenado, Rockies (31); Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs (31); Jesus Aguilar, Brewers (31)

Astros’ 1B Yuli Gurriel leads MLB in grounding into double plays through August (22.)

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (114); Khris Davis, A’s (104) Jose Ramirez, Indians (94)

NL: Javier Baez, Cubs (98); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (96); Jesus Aguilar, Brewers (93)

Among players with at least 25 plate appearances with runners in scoring position, the Twins’ Jorge Polanco has the best average with RISP through August at .436 (17-for-39). Another Twin is second on that list – Joe Mauer at .412 (28-for-68). Others at (or above) .400 with RISP are the Red Sox; J.D. Martinez (.403); Astros’ Yuli Gurriel (.402); Orioles’ Craig Gentry (.400). 

RUNS SCORED

AL: Francisco Lindor, Indians (110); Mookie Betts, Red Sox (109); J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (100)

NL: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (96); Christian Yelich, Brewers (94); Ozzie Albies, Braves (90); Matt Carpenter, Cardinals (90)

The Rays’ Carlos Gomez appears to be MLB’s number-one target;  being hit by an MLB-high 20 pitches through August. 

HITS

AL: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (164); Jean Segura, Mariners (159); Whit Merrifield, Royals (158)

NL: Nick Markakis, Braves (160); Freddie Freeman, Braves (160); Scooter Gennett, Reds (157)

The Angels’ Mike Trout had an MLB-best .458 on-base percentage (among qualifiers) through August; while the Reds’ Joey Votto topped the NL at .420.  Just five players were at .400 or above. 

STOLEN BASES

AL: Dee Gordon, Mariners (30); Jose Ramirez, Indians (29); Whit Merrifield, Royals (29)

NL: Trea Turner, Nationals (34): Sterling Marte, Pirates (30); Billy Hamilton, Reds (29)

War. Good God. What is it Good For?

Not a big fan of all the new stats, but I know some readers are.  So, your leader in WAR (Wins Above Replacement) through August is the Red Sox’ Mookie Betts at 9.0. The Brewers’ Lorenzo Cain leads the National League at 5.9. 

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

 AL:  Yoan Moncada, White Sox (186); Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees, (178); Joey Gallo, Rangers (175)

NL: Chris Taylor, Dodgers (158); Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs (147); two at 143

WALKS DRAWN

 AL:  Mike Trout, Angels (105); Jose Ramirez, Indians (88); Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers (82)

 NL: Bryce Harper, Nationals (96); Joey Votto, Reds (92); Carlos Santana, Phillies (92)

Mike Trout led all MLB players through July in intentional free passes with 20. The Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber led the NL with 19. 

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL:  Luis Severino, Yankees (17-6); Corey Kluber, Indians (17-7); Blake Snell Rays (16-5); Carlos Carrasco, Indians (16-7)

NL:  Max Scherzer, Nationals (16-6); Aaron Nola, Phillies (15-3); three at 14

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifiers)

AL:  Chris Sale, Red Sox (1.97);  Blake Snell, Rays (2.05); Trevor Bauer, Indians (2.22)

NL:  Jacob deGrom, Mets (1.68); Aaron Nola, Phillies (2.10); Max Scherzer, Nationals (2.22)

STRIKEOUTS

AL:  Justin Verlander, Astros (240 – 181 IP); Gerrit Cole, Astros (234 – 170 2/3 IP); Chris Sale, Red Sox (219 – 146 IP)

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (249 – 186 2/3 IP); Jacob deGrom, Mets (224 – 182 IP); Patrick Corbin, D-backs (207 – 168 2/3 IP);

Among pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched through August, the Red Sox’ Chris Sale had the highest ratio of strikeouts per nine innings at 13.50. The only other hurlers above 12.00 were Gerrit Cole of the Astros (12.34) and Max Scherzer of the Nationals (12.01).   Forty pitchers with more than 100 innings logged through August struck out at least nine batters per nine innings.

SAVES

AL:  Edwin Diaz, Mariners (50); Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox (37); Blake Treinen, A’s (34)

NL: Wade Davis, Rockies (36); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (33): Brad Boxberger, D-backs (31)

Pitchers Wins Above Replacement

The Phillies’ Aaron Nola  led all hurlers (through August) in Wins Above Replacement at 9.3, followed by the Nationals’ Max Scherzer at 8.0. Chris Sale was the AL leader at 6.5.

Primary Resources:  ESPN.com; Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com

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